Stump the Chump
The think Aloud Game of reading comprehension
Object of the game
Bring to class a text that may be difficult for the teacher or a classmate to read and comprehend. If the teacher or classmate (aka “the chump”) is not able to read and comprehend the text, even after using reading strategies learned in class, then the one who brought in the text wins!
Game preparation
The chump chooses a text from 3 supplied by the teacher. The “challenger” (The student who supplied the text) then chooses 3 classmates to be the official judges. All students receive score cards while the judges receive the official score cards. All students receive overhead markers to mark their score cards. The teacher chooses an mc (master of ceremonies) for the game and an official timer. The chump puts the text on the overhead for all to see. Now you may begin the game!
Game play
The mc introduces the round using the cue card supplied. All participants take their places with the chump at the whiteboard, the challenger in a desk on the right and the 3 judges in desks on the left. When all are ready, the mc turns on the overhead, the timer puts 5 minutes on the clock, and the chump begins to read the text. The chump must think aloud while reading so that the judges may recognize the strategies being used to comprehend the text. As the chump thinks aloud, all students mark their score cards.
End of the game
At the end of the 5 minutes, the chump has the opportunity to summarize the meaning of the text. The mc calls for a show of hands if the students think the chump was stumped. Taking into consideration their classmates’ votes and their own observations, the judges consult and make the final decision. If the chump was stumped, the challenger wins. If the chump was not stumped, the chump wins.
*all challengers and chumps receive a 10 cent coupon to the school store. Winning chumps or challengers receive an additional coupon for 25 cents.
Stump the Chump
The think Aloud Game of reading comprehension
Master of ceremonies cue card
M C ______
Timer ______
Challenger #1 ______
Chump #1 ______
Judge #1a ______
Judge #1b ______
Judge #1c ______
Challenger #2 ______
Chump #2 ______
Judge #2a ______
Judge #2b ______
Judge #2c ______
Challenger #3______
Chump #3______
Judge #3a ______
Judge #3b ______
Judge #3c ______
MC: “hello, fans, and welcome to another exciting game of “stump the chump”. For our first/second/third round, we have ______challenging ______. Our judges are ______, ______, and ______. Do you all have your score cards ready? Then let’s begin!”
MC turns on overhead and makes sure the full text shows on the whiteboard. Then says:
“timer, give us 5 minutes! Are you ready? Go!”
chump proceeds to try to read and comprehend text. Chump may write on whiteboard if wishes, but must think aloud throughout the 5 minutes. When timer rings, mc says:
“stop! Now fans and judges, total your score cards.” (Give a minute to do this.) “may I have a show of hands? Who thinks the challenger stumped the chump?” (count the # of hands.) “Who thinks the chump wasn’t stumped?” (count the # of hands.) “and judges, what do you say?” based on response of judges, say “And the winner for this first round was ______! The stump was/wasn’t stumped!”
repeat for round #2 and #3 beginning with the words “for our first/second/third round …”